The Supreme Court has asked the Karnataka High Court to decide the bail plea of one of the accused in the murder of activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh without being influenced by an order quashing charges against him. The top court sought a response from the Karnataka government on a plea made by sister of slain journalist challenging the dropping of organised crime charges against accused Mohan Nayak in the case.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar issued notice to the Karnataka government and others while seeking their response on the appeal filed by Lankesh's sister Kavitha Lankesh against the high court order. "Issue notice on the applications seeking permission to file special leave petition, prayer for interim relief and special leave petition. "After hearing counsel for the respondent No. 6, for the time being, we observe that the bail application filed by respondent No. 6 before the high court be decided without being influenced by the impugned order. For, it is a subject matter of challenge in this special leave petition," the bench also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Annirudhha Bose said.